Best thing(s) about Stanley Cup playoffs?

[aceofpace]

My list:

1. The Cup itself (most recognizable, most beautiful thing ever)
2. Sudden-death overtime
3. Hockey beards
4. The annual chokejob by Toronto
5. The hockey handshake

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

The violence and battle for free space on the ice

 

[Fatass]

All of the above plus how some players raise their games while others disappear. Playoff hockey is the thresher that separates the wheat from the chaff.

 

[SharksFan1992]

My list:

1. The Cup itself (most recognizable, most beautiful thing ever)
2. Sudden-death overtime
3. Hockey beards
4. The annual chokejob by Toronto
5. The hockey handshake

Boobs behind the coach's bench.

 

[HockeyVirus]

I just enjoy that everything matters. Technically it all matters in the regular season but with so many games, there are really a few moments each year for each team that really matter.

Playoffs, every little play matters. The huge blocked shot, the massive bone rattling hits, and the goals are so much harder to get when they happen they feel like an event.

I gotta admit though, the thing I am most looking forward to this season is watching Brady Tkachuk crying on the bench

 

[Son of Nogatco]

the smorgasbord of great hockey that is round 1, with multiple games each night. Like March Madness but better

 

[Strangle]

The violence and battle for free space on the ice

The violence really is the best part, I agree

 

[thebestnic]

Long series and long OTs. No play-in or shootout nonsense like other sports.

 

[Nice]

The first round. Meaningful hockey being played every night all night

 

[NyQuil]

The first round.

 

[zappa4ever]

To begin with...
Everything

 

[Lt Dan]

For me it's the intensity

 

[Human]

First round of the playoffs is the most exciting ice hockey thing ever!

 

[NYRfan85]

The first round, with up to 4 games every night, just feels chaotic and so intense.

Playoff sudden death overtime is the greatest aspect of any sport, period. There is absolutely nothing that can top a game that goes on and on, especially if it's Game 7 or a potential series-winner!

 

[TheDeuce]

I'll go with the renewed hope that we all have once our teams have secured a playoff spot. Who doesn't daydream about their teams lifting that iconic trophy at the beginning of every playoff season? Doesn't matter if your team won the Presidents trophy or backed into the last WC spot in the last game of the season.

Damn I love hockey!

More locally - I love attending the Winnipeg Whiteout. Witnessing a Winnipeg Whiteout should be on every sports fans' bucket list.


m.

 

[PROUD PAPA]

The intensity and physicality. Hard not to enjoy any hockey game that offers those qualities.

 

[NVious]

Players having fun

 

[David Suzuki]

First few days of round one are awesome. Everyone thinks they have a chance and the games are always about setting tones etc...

 

[Hotsam Batcho]

City atmosphere.

Nothing better than watching your team play in Spring weather, at least for cities who experience true winters.

Car flags, honking, tailgating, random high fives, vibes etc.

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

The first round.

As a fan of a team that didn’t make the dance, this is it for me. Multiple games on TV each day, watching all the battles and storylines take shape, and nothing quite like watching playoff OT where you aren’t emotionally invested in the outcome (ie - it doesn’t include your team). Love watching the first round.

 

[Sendhelp2Anaheim]

The crowds... i love watching the start of the series/games anthems... Crowd and players are jacked.

Get chills when canadian teams sing the anthem without the singer, or the "TRUE NORTH" in winnipeg.

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

I just enjoy that everything matters. Technically it all matters in the regular season but with so many games, there are really a few moments each year for each team that really matter.

Playoffs, every little play matters. The huge blocked shot, the massive bone rattling hits, and the goals are so much harder to get when they happen they feel like an event.

I gotta admit though, the thing I am most looking forward to this season is watching Brady Tkachuk crying on the bench

...yup, I'm looking forward to his tears of JOY myself...

 

[sbhnur]

It's the heat that comes with "do or die". Everything gets more intense, especially in the first round when most players are healthy and fresh.

 

[HockeyVirus]

...yup, I'm looking forward to his tears of JOY myself...

Why is he going to be in Florida watching his brother again?

 

[crump]

Yes, exciting hockey all night, everynight. The enormous plays, goals, hits, saves, the agony and the ecstasy. Hero’s and goats.